14 Warriors

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Anonymous User 1: "Another autumn sports meet is here. Does anyone know if there are still spots open in Li Shuangjie’s fan support team? I’ll pay! Price starts at four digits!"

Anonymous User 2: "You’re too late, it’s already full. The spring sports meet support team was full too. You should ask @Li Shuangjie’s Slap Ya Mi Ya Mi—that’s the vice leader. See if they have enough people this time or if they’ll expand the team."

Li Shuangjie’s Slap Ya Mi Ya Mi: "Thanks to everyone for the interest. We’re not full yet; we still need two people to hold the banner. If interested, please contact me."

Half a minute later.

Li Shuangjie’s Slap Ya Mi Ya Mi: "Full now. Please do not message anymore."

"Oh my god!" a girl muttered, disappointedly putting down her phone. "They’re way too fast. I finally get a chance to snag a spot, but I was just ten seconds late, and other ‘little lashes’ took the spots. Such a waste of effort!"

"Those spots are really hard to get," another girl said smugly. "Otherwise, why do you think I set my alarm multiple times a few days ago?"

"I thought you were trying to get tickets for an idol signing event!"

"Haha! Not that dramatic..."

The two girls joked as they left the checkout counter.

Behind them, Zheng Lanyu and Zhao Ze listened to everything.

"...Fan support team?" Zheng Lanyu repeated.

"Ah, that one," Zhao Ze replied casually.

"Of course, it’s Li Shuangjie’s fan club," a boy handed his phone to Zheng Lanyu. "This is the school forum. People often post nonsense or form cliques. Over time, topics emerge, and the hottest one is Li Shuangjie’s fan club, followed by the Reviewers’ Alliance and the Cafeteria Warning Board. Oh, today the sweet and sour pork ribs got flagged; someone found quality protein in it."

Zhao Ze was horrified. He had just eaten those very ribs. "Ah! Really?!"

"Relax, it was just a cockroach, not a rat."

Zheng Lanyu gasped, "The cafeteria’s food is this hardcore?"

"Last time someone even found a wig from an older lady in their food!"

"Getting off track, back to Li Shuangjie’s fan club. I remember how it started. Li Shuangjie held first place in the grade for an entire semester. The Reviewers’ Alliance posted her report card. Many students worshipped her, calling her the Queen of Science and saying her methods were magical."

"Right, right, I remember too!" the boys chimed in. "It was right after class divisions. You know how tough science is—passing physics was like praying for a miracle, but Li Shuangjie scored ninety! She seemed almost unreal."

Zhao Ze raised an eyebrow, "So, did you worship her?"

"Uh... With finals coming up, a little superstition helps."

One boy asked, "You didn’t?"

Zhao Ze blinked guiltily, "I worshiped math..."

"Hey, stop right there!" Zhao Ze didn’t want to admit his admiration for the rival. "Anyway, at first, everyone was worshipping her. Eventually, a separate thread called ‘Li Shuangjie Pre-Exam’ was created, but the forum admins shut it down for banning superstition."

"Then came the spring sports meet."

Zhao Ze swallowed nervously. "That girl swept all the events. Except for women’s shot put, she basically won gold in everything."

"Can’t blame her. The women’s shot put champion was a girl over 140 pounds, a heavyweight. She met the level two standard," one boy explained. "Anyway, Li Shuangjie’s goal this year seems to be the grand slam."

Winning gold in every event.

A heavy pressure weighed on Zheng Lanyu’s mind. People admire the strong; Li Shuangjie was so outstanding, it’s no wonder everyone loved her. But he worried—worried if his friend might be too exhausted...

His gaze returned to the screen. The forum kept updating. He scrolled up and soon saw a hot post:

"Highlights of Li Shuangjie’s Past Sports Meets"

Clicking in revealed a series of photos, all featuring that formidable woman. Candid shots of her sweating in professional athletic gear on the track, vaulting gracefully over the bar, and long legs kicking up dust during long jump.

The word “goddess” was layered hundreds of times over. Li Shuangjie was undeniably beautiful, but in sports, she was even more captivating—full of life.

Perhaps it was inherited from her mother. Li Xi had also become popular years ago for her striking looks—short black hair and a refreshing smile. A photo of her drinking water on the sidelines had become a cherished wallpaper for countless fans.

"Li Shuangjie’s Slap Ya Mi Ya Mi?"

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Zheng Lanyu noticed this person for the second time.

Many of Li Shuangjie’s stunning photos were taken by this vice leader. She could almost be called the official fan photographer. Some speculated, "She must be part of the student council’s photography department. Only professionals have the equipment to capture such clear shots."

"Must be? I thought you all already knew."

"No, both leaders are pretty mysterious."

"Of course they have to be!" Zhao Ze winked. "If Li Shuangjie found out, that harsh girl might just laugh in your face... Hey, Zheng Lanyu! Don’t tell her I worshiped her for finals, or she’ll be thrilled!"

"Worshiped me?" A cold, sarcastic laugh cut in.

"Didn’t expect that from you, Zhao Ze."

Zheng Lanyu turned to see the very person they were talking about.

Zhao Ze blushed deeply, snatched his phone back, and shouted to his friends to run. Facing disaster, he still tried to protect his 'god,' but Li Shuangjie’s devilish hand was already on his shoulder.

"Wait, keep my dog here!"

Zhao Ze pledged again, "I’ll protect my god! I’ll hold her off, you go, Zheng Lanyu!"

Zheng Lanyu: "I have something to discuss with the class leader..."

"Fine, take care!" Zhao Ze dashed off immediately.

Watching Zhao Ze and the others flee, Li Shuangjie curled her lips arrogantly, showing a smile part cold, part indifferent.

"Those cockroach-like pests scurrying around," she teased.

Then she looked at him. "Why aren’t you running with them?"

The atmosphere between them became awkward. Li Shuangjie felt nothing of it; the awkwardness was all on Zheng Lanyu.

A few days ago, he had realized she wanted him gone, and he was disheartened. She was like a stone—no matter what, he couldn’t warm her heart.

Thinking this, Zheng Lanyu forced a smile. "I really do have something to tell you, but there were classmates around earlier, so I was embarrassed."

Li Shuangjie looked surprised. "Say it then."

Zheng Lanyu glanced around, clearly troubled.

Li Shuangjie led him to a quiet spot.

"Be straightforward, kid."

"About… the deskmate probation period..."

"What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re begging again?"

"No, I’ll be moving out next Monday."

Good, she at least understood him.

She nodded. "That’s good."

"I think..." He hesitated.

A gust of wind stirred the shadows.

Dappled light flickered on his deep, handsome face. The edges of the light sparkled, forming a mysterious halo, landing on the blond-haired, blue-eyed boy’s nose.

Li Shuangjie’s gaze followed the bright flicker. The quiet surroundings felt both lovely and terrifying. Zheng Lanyu’s beauty was almost a perfect temptation to her.

No one else around.

This was dangerous.

If she wanted to slap him, he would obediently take it, not resisting.

The thin side of his face, bathed in the weak cold sunlight, could be reddened by her palm. The green around them, like the green in his eyes, ignited desire. She could easily make him cry, tears falling as he turned his head while she slapped, the tears soaking her palm.

He would still look at her purely, innocently, and bewildered.

But—

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"I know you like to slap people, especially me... What if I’m willing to let you slap me all the time?"

"It’s got nothing to do with your willingness," Li Shuangjie said. "I slap because I want to. Do I need your permission? Should I ask ‘Hello, may I slap you?’ first? There are plenty who let me slap them; you, the golden-haired one, are nothing special!"

"I know, I know, but it’s different. Before I move, we’re still good deskmates, good friends. The way you slap me then is different from after we drift apart. To me, you’re different too. You’re no longer my best friend. When you slap me then, it won’t be the same Zheng Lanyu."

"Ridiculous! If not you, then who else?"

He patiently explained, "Have you read ‘The Little Prince’? You can think of me as the little fox with fiery fur. You tamed me, from someone who never wanted to take your slaps to someone who’s willing. Building a relationship—you can experience the whole taming process with me."

He spoke earnestly.

Li Shuangjie found herself unable to slap him for the moment.

"If you hadn’t sat with me, let me be the sports committee member, made friends, and taught me so much, I wouldn’t accept you as the one who can only bully me." He clearly had some pride. Even when the ‘little golden retriever’ bared his teeth, he had style. "From the moment I accepted you, you became different from others. You’re special, and so am I."

"Special?" Li Shuangjie curled her lips.

"Not to brag, but you’re a bit narcissistic."

"Am I?"

He smiled.

"When you slap me, you feel something too, right?"

"Well..."

Undeniably.

"So bully me then. Not much time left." He grabbed her hand, without any romantic implication, just placing it on his flushed, nervous face. "Since you think I’m different, slapping me will make you happier. From now until next Monday, slap me however you want. I won’t sulk. Just… cherish this last period."

Li Shuangjie was caught off guard.

"This sounds like a couple breaking up..."

"A couple? Breaking up?" Zheng Lanyu clearly hadn’t considered that. His emerald eyes blinked shyly, a mist of bashfulness rising. "No, no! That’s not what I meant... I just… just..."

"Enough, enough! There’s nothing there!" Li Shuangjie patted his shoulder. "Foreign little men, be straightforward! Don’t keep acting coy, or people will think we’re having a secret affair!"

Indeed, classmates passing by kept glancing over.

Because of Zheng Lanyu’s near-confession expression.

What an innocent misunderstanding! They were all high schoolers on Jinjiang; early romance would get them reported in a heartbeat!

"Such nonsense. Foreigners are like this—why say it in a few words when you can make a long speech?" She sighed. "I get what you mean: cherish the deskmate bond, since we won’t sit together again. Don’t worry, maybe I don’t really love you, but I do love slapping you. As long as you’re in China, I’ll come from anywhere to slap you. If you’re happy to take it, fine. If not, you better tolerate it."

Zheng Lanyu brightened and shook her hand.

"I’m not! I won’t be unhappy!"

Is this him acting spoiled? Li Shuangjie cleared her throat. Maybe Zheng Lanyu didn’t realize it, but he was naturally good at acting spoiled. Foreign powers were too much; she had to guard her boundaries. No inch of national territory could be lost, no matter how adorable the foreign boy was!

Not far away.

Someone quietly watched this scene.

He, as always, hid in the shadows, but at this moment, no emotion could be suppressed. Song Encheng could endure her favoring him—after all, he’d been her childhood friend—but how could he stand this American newcomer surpassing him? And he even touched her hand!

That was his dining spot!

He clenched his fists silently in fury.

Pei Chuyuan could no longer hold back.

He wanted… the foreigner gone!